I have an exciting author interview series to share with you! Author Aria Michaels (author of Killshot and Ballistic among other titles) has created a small press called Alternate Ending Publications. For their first project, AEP has collected a group of young authors to recreate classic fairy tales in a more modern and possibly twisted way. To learn more about Alternate Ending Publications and the project titled the Twisted Fairy Tales Anthology, visit their Facebook page! To preorder the anthology, click here!

Without further ado, here is out first young author! Her story is a recreation of Cinderella, titled Cindergirl.

Madeleine Harris is a major nerd and she is quite proud of it. Her greatest passions include reading and rereading books like Harry Potter, doodling pictures of cats, acting, and writing. She loves to write stories about magic, animals, kids with cool powers, or anything that might include at least a little bit of humor. This is the first time she’s had her work published, but it’s hopefully not the last! Madeleine currently attends a performing arts school. Her major is acting, though this doesn’t prevent her from liking to write. She’s been in one short film called Girl in the Trunk, which according to her was “delightfully bloody.” She lives with her parents and a dog, cat, and mutant monster (also known as a little brother). She has almost no social media, but if you ever want to discuss her creations, you will likely find her up in a tree.

How long have you been writing? Did any person, book, or movie inspire you to write?
I have loved writing stories since about third and fourth grade when my amazing teachers, Ms Harvey and Ms Crossland inspired me to get my crazy ideas onto a piece of paper. Now you can’t get me to stop writing.

Where did you get inspiration for your new spin on a classic fairy tale?
I love writing twists on fairy tales, so the prompt just spoke to me and I knew I had to enter. Cinderella seemed the most fun to write as a superhero because it’s a cool story that can go into a billion different directions.

If you could live in any book world for one week, what fictional place would you choose and why? What does your world look like?
If I were to live in a favorite book, it would be the world of Harry Potter. I love magic and would definitely want to go to magic school instead of regular school! This world would be a land of exciting possibilities, where I can cast spells to make teacups turn into cats and giant squids really could live in lakes.

What excites you most about being chosen by Alternate Ending Publications to take part in this innovative anthology project?
I love the fact that other people, anybody who picks up the book, can actually read my own work. I feel like I have been put out into the world in some way.

What was your favorite fairy tale growing up?
I remember in fifth grade I went into the school library and stumbled upon a treasure trove of Cinderella stories, all from different cultures. I was back every day to read the Chinese version or African version. I even reread some.

What is your favorite genre to read and what makes you gravitate to that particular type of story?
Fiction, fiction, fiction! It gives me a chance to escape the reality of this world into a place where anything imaginable can happen.

Why do you think people are so drawn to fairy tales?
Fairy tales are age-old stories with valuable lessons. You can put them into so many different versions, but you still have the same plot or moral. People like them because there are so many, and all of the lessons still apply today.

What’s your next project going to be? Any hints?
I have some ideas but I don’t know if they’re going to make it off my desk. All I can say is, if you like kids with awesome powers then you’re going to like my style.

If you could bring one mystical or magical thing into reality what would it be?
This is extremely difficult because I love all things magic, but I think I would have to go with magical animals. Who wouldn’t want to ride a dragon or have a unicorn in their backyard?

What advice do you have for other kids who are interested in pursuing a path as an author? What lessons have you learned along the way?
Keep on going, don’t give up. If one project doesn’t work out, just pick up another one. It’s not impossible to get your work published; it sometimes just takes some time. I have learned not to take anything personally. Critiques are just edits, not insults.

Thanks for joining us here on THE KATY, Madeleine! We’ll have more amazing authors from the Twisted Fairy Tales Anthology up until release day! Preorder the anthology here!